By: Julia Guest, assistant director
Camp is a community that transforms children into leaders and these leaders become role models for the next generation of campers. These are the campers and staff who create impact far beyond the boundaries of Maple Lake. Over the last 20 years Camp George has nurtured, developed and inspired many special leaders in our community. In 2000, I was fortunate to start my journey as a Camp George camper and I am very thankful that my path has allowed me to work alongside many of the amazing people who have filled leadership positions in our community.
I spent the first 6 years of my camp career amongst the trees, lakes and portages of Algonquin Park. When I started my role as a tripper in 2005, it was truly unbelievable that this was actually MY JOB! I was joining the ranks of some of my mentors, Ricky, Nat, Jess and Durbin and taking all their lessons as I began my staff experience. As a tripper, I had the opportunity to take campers into a new environment which provided challenges, adventures, amazing food and so many amazing memories. Working outside of the comforts of camp, trippers are the captain of the ship, the nurse and doctor, the chef, the therapist, the big sister, and the coach. There is no time for “that’s not in my job description”. There was truly nothing better than the satisfaction of completing each portage, making it across the windy lakes, and enjoying a pita pizza at the end of a long day. We also had our silly and unplanned moments – the coveted big spoon challenge to finish the pot of chili, relaxing and predicting our futures with “Pretty Little Mistakes” on the spa trip, the Joe Lake jumping rocks, losing a few pairs of glasses to the bottom of the lake, portaging with Walter and Melony and about a million other memories. Last summer as I drove through Algonquin Park on my way to a wedding in Ottawa, it was a trip down memory lane at every hiking trail and access point I passed. I am abundantly proud to have amassed (and survived) over 40 trips in the last 19 years at camp!!
As a camp specialist, I also had the pleasure each week of coming back to camp and receiving huge hugs from my girls and hearing about all the new experiences and adventures they had that week at camp. I was always thankful that they hadn’t forgotten about me! At camp, we got to plan fun bunk night programs, get dressed up for Maccabiah and celebrate Havdallah each week at the point. Spending time with my friends at camp each summer and being part of the larger community was always a special part of my staff experience.
In 2007, in recognition of the leadership and dedication of Sam Reisman, Camp George developed an award to highlight exceptional staff performance. The winners of the Sam Award were nominated and chosen by their peers and the criteria of the award was based on the Three Pillars of Pirkat Avot: “On Three Things the World Stands: On Torah, On Avodah, and On Gemilut Hasadim”. Staff must exemplify the embodiment of Jewish values, dedication and hard work, and the performance of good deeds to be considered.
I was both honoured and humbled to receive this award in its inaugural season. Alongside Jason Stevens, we were presented with a certificate and given the opportunity to make a donation to a charity of our choice. As a tripper, it was even more special because it acknowledged the role a staff can play, both inside and outside of camp. It was the first time I ever considered the impact of my work on others and it was so special to be recognized by my peers.
Since 2007, I have had the privilege of congratulating all the incoming Sam Award winners and welcoming them to our club. The beauty of working full time with Camp George over the past 8 years has been the opportunity to watch our staff teams grow and learn. The staff at Camp George are a group that truly embody the best of what it means to be a role model to our campers. I am fortunate to learn, grow and be continually challenged as we strive to create an amazing experience for our campers.
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